Chattan Bride

Chapter 2 - Part 3

Alysandir was back at the holding just as Neill mounted his horse and they made for the place where his brother was killed. A steep descent ended abruptly near a winding creek. A tree line skirted the water on the opposite side.

"He was on the path above riding home." Neill pointed upward from where they stopped at the base. "This is the border," he motioned to the creek. "That tree line is the MacPhail border. A soldier rode with him and reported that suddenly Colin fell from his horse and tumbled down the edge, landing in the creek. This is Donald who rode with him that morning."

"Donald, please continue. I prefer to hear the account from the witness, Neill," Alysandir stated as Neill nodded his agreement.

"Yes, my lord. At first, I thought he had simply fallen from his horse, but immediately considered how he was excellent in the saddle. I dismounted and made my way down to him. He was pretty broken up from the fall and his face was in the water, but I hoped he might be mended. I lifted him out of the water and was covered with his blood. He had been hit with a stone right in the temple. It was a practiced shot and made accurately against a man at a canter."

"Pause there, Donald," Neill instructed. "We cannot be sure if the stone came from the forest or from further up the mountain. Two different clans, but only one is responsible. Shall we make our way up for you to examine the perspective of one who could have done this from above?" he asked Alysandir.

"We can resolve it without doing so, I believe. Before I ask the telling question, did you happen to see anyone at all right after this occurred?"

"By the time I had made my way down and saw that Colin was dead, I looked around and there was a young man on the path from which I had just come. In fact, he stood not far from the horses. I could not tell if he ran up from the forest or down from farther up. He took to the path in the opposite direction. I could not catch up with him."

"That does complicate the problem," Alysandir lamented. "Once we identify where the murderer stood when he hurled the stone, we cannot be certain who he was, since he has no respect for the border. In fact, he used it to his advantage." The three began looking about for a hint of detail. "Well, I will present my question before I get you to describe the murderer. Point to exactly where Colin suffered the death blow on his head."

"On his temple, my lord."

"Yes, on his temple, which side? Left or right?"

"It was his left side, because the injury bled onto my right hand when I held his head and looked at him."

"Are you sure it was his left?"

"Aye, positive."

"That means that the stone was hurled from the forest, MacPhail land," Neill snarled.

"But he jumped the border. Was he framing the MacPhail or was he trying to escape from the forest before Donald hunted him down?" Alysandir presented. "Describe the murderer for me again."

"Unmistakable, sir. Bright red hair, quite lanky but well built and he had good muscles. He had to have if he climbed up so quickly."

"He was not wearing any colors, I imagine?"

"No. He looked as though his family were not badly off, if a man is judged by his apparel."

"Due to the nature of this crime, I will speak to both lairds and demand compliance. To do otherwise will be considered as harboring the criminal and will not be tolerated. When the offender is produced, will you be satisfied with bringing him alone to justice if the laird does not try to protect him?"